A “high intensity” cyclone will make landfall in the Gujarat coast by May 18, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday.
The cyclone is likely to lash the region due to a cyclonic disturbance that will be formed over Lakshadweep and the Arabian Sea in the next 36 hours. Heavy rains will also occur in the southern parts of the country.
The IMD has predicted intense showers in Gujarat starting May 17, with its intensity escalating in the subsequent days.
The state will have extremely heavy rainfall at a few places like Saurashtra and Kutch on May 18 and 19.
Due to the presence of the cyclone, Gujarat rains would be accompanied by gusty winds going ranging from 50 km per hour to 80 km per hour in the next 5-6 days, Indian Express reported.
In view of the cyclonic disturbance, heavy to very heavy downpour is also expected over Lakshadweep in the next 24 hours.
Kerala and Tamil Nadu will experience extremely heavy downpour till 16 May, IMD said in its latest bulletin.
A red alert has been sounded in three districts of Kerala and Lakshadweep on Friday, and five districts of Kerala on Saturday.
Hailstorms and heavy rainfall can be expected in parts of North India, including Uttar Pradesh due to a different cyclonic disturbance.